BitCryptor virus
BitCryptor virus Removal Guide
What is BitCryptor virus?
What is BitCryptor virus?
BitCryptor (can also be found as Bit Cryptor virus) is a malicious ransomware, which hails from the same family of ransomwares as Cryptolocker, Crypt0L0cker, Alpha Crypt, CryptoWall, TeslaCrypt and many other cyber threats. Beware that it can easily block each of your important files and then ask you to pay for the decryption key that is needed if you want to decrypt each of these files. If you have ever tried to imagine what the loss of your photos, music files, business or study documents would mean to you, you could realize what the infiltration of this threat would mean to you. That's why you should always double check the protection level of your computer and make sure that it is protected by a powerful anti-spyware. In addition, always make extra copies of your important files because there is no guarantee that BitCryptor ransomware won't appear on your computer. If you don't know how can you do that, there is a post that was dedicated for that: Why do I need backup and what options do I have for that?. If BitCryptor infiltrates the system (it usually does that thru its backdoors), it drops its files and modifies some of its settings. In addition, it runs its scanner and checks the system for these extensions that should be blocked: 3fr, accdb, ai, arw, bay, cdr, cer, cr2, crt, crw, dbf, dcr, der, dng, doc, docm, docx, dwg, dxf, dxg, eps, erf, indd, jpe, jpg, kdc, mdb, mdf, mef, mrw, nef, nrw, odb, odm, odp, ods, odt, orf, p12, p7b, p7c, pdd, pef, pem, pfx, ppt, pptm, pptx, psd, pst, ptx, r3d, raf, raw, rtf, rw2, rwl, srf, srw, wb2, wpd, wps, xlk, xls, xlsb, xlsm, xlsx.
After doing so, it displays a huge warning message that asks to pay the ransom. The new thing about this malware is that it also stops each of these processes in Task manager: shadow, cmd, processhacker, mbam, sh4, spyhunter, msconfig, taskmgr, roguekiller, rstrui, regedit, procexp. So, you may find out that you can't launch Malwarebytes Antimalware, Spyhunter and other legitimate security programs and tools. If you want to recover your files, you should never pay the ransom because there is no guarantee that this will return the connection to your files. For that you should try these tools: R-Studio, Photorec or Kaspesky Ransomware Decryptor. In order to remove BitCryptor from the system, you should use SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, which is compatible with Windows and Mac OS X.
How can BitCryptor infect my computer?
If you want to avoid BitCryptor ransomware appearance on your PC, you have to keep in mind that it has been actively spread with a help of fake alerts offering people to download the attachment in order to get more information about payments, contests, bills and similar thing. In fact, it's a widely-spread trick that is used for tricking people into downloading infected attachments. In addition, you should always avoid clicking links on such emails or misleading messages that may show up during your browsing. If the message claims that you have to update your Java or Flash Player, you have to ignore it because there is a huge possibility that it is seeking just to infect your computer with BitCryptor or at least a potentially unwanted program. Finally, make sure you stay away from illegal programs, suspicious websites and similar things that can lead you to the infiltration of Bit Cryptor malware or similar ransomware.
How to remove BitCryptor virus?
If BitCryptor ransomware or similar ransowmare has managed to trick you into downloading it to your your computer, you will notice this from blocked files. If you can't open your important documents, photos, music files or similar files, you are infected. The main thing that you should do in this case is to remove malicious threat from your computer. In order to do that, try using these steps.
We highly recommend thinking about the prevention of such infections like Bit Cryptor. For that you can use previously mentioned programs. Besides, don't forget to think about the immunity of your files and backup. For that you can use USB external hard drives, CDs, DVDs, or simply rely on online backups, such as Google Drive, Dropbox, Flickr and other solutions. More information about backups can be found in this post: Why do I need backup and what options do I have for that?
Getting rid of BitCryptor virus. Follow these steps
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. – it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
Remove BitCryptor using System Restore
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Step 1: Reboot your computer to Safe Mode with Command Prompt
Windows 7 / Vista / XP- Click Start → Shutdown → Restart → OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
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Select Command Prompt from the list
Windows 10 / Windows 8- Press the Power button at the Windows login screen. Now press and hold Shift, which is on your keyboard, and click Restart..
- Now select Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings and finally press Restart.
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Once your computer becomes active, select Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt in Startup Settings window.
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Step 2: Restore your system files and settings
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
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Now type rstrui.exe and press Enter again..
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When a new window shows up, click Next and select your restore point that is prior the infiltration of BitCryptor. After doing that, click Next.
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Now click Yes to start system restore.
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Once the Command Prompt window shows up, enter cd restore and click Enter.
Finally, you should always think about the protection of crypto-ransomwares. In order to protect your computer from BitCryptor and other ransomwares, use a reputable anti-spyware, such as FortectIntego, SpyHunter 5Combo Cleaner or Malwarebytes
How to prevent from getting ransomware
Do not let government spy on you
The government has many issues in regards to tracking users' data and spying on citizens, so you should take this into consideration and learn more about shady information gathering practices. Avoid any unwanted government tracking or spying by going totally anonymous on the internet.
You can choose a different location when you go online and access any material you want without particular content restrictions. You can easily enjoy internet connection without any risks of being hacked by using Private Internet Access VPN.
Control the information that can be accessed by government any other unwanted party and surf online without being spied on. Even if you are not involved in illegal activities or trust your selection of services, platforms, be suspicious for your own security and take precautionary measures by using the VPN service.
Backup files for the later use, in case of the malware attack
Computer users can suffer from data losses due to cyber infections or their own faulty doings. Ransomware can encrypt and hold files hostage, while unforeseen power cuts might cause a loss of important documents. If you have proper up-to-date backups, you can easily recover after such an incident and get back to work. It is also equally important to update backups on a regular basis so that the newest information remains intact – you can set this process to be performed automatically.
When you have the previous version of every important document or project you can avoid frustration and breakdowns. It comes in handy when malware strikes out of nowhere. Use Data Recovery Pro for the data restoration process.
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